Periodicities in the emplacement of large igneous provinces through the Phanerozoic:Relations to ocean chemistry and marine biodiversity evolution

Large igneous provinces （LIPs） are considered a relevant cause for mass extinctions of marine life throughout Earth＇s history. Their flood basalts and associated intrusions can cause significant release of SO4 and CO2 and consequently, cause major environmental disruptions. Here, we reconstruct the long-term periodic pattern of LIP emplacement and its impact on ocean chemistry and biodiversity from δ34Ssulfate of the last 520 Ma under particular consideration of the preservation limits of LIP records. A combination of cross-wavelet and other time-series analysis methods has been applied to quantify a potential chain of linkage between LIP emplacement periodicity, geochemical changes and the Phanerozoic marine genera record. We suggest a mantle plume cyclicity represented by LIP volumes （V） of V= （350-770） × 103km3sin（27πt/ 170 Ma）＋ （300-650）× 103 km3 sin（2πt/64.5 Ma ＋ 2.3） for t= time in Ma. A shift from the 64.5 Ma to a weaker -28-35 Ma LIP cyclicity during the Jurassic contributes together with probably independent changes in the marine sulfur cycle to less ocean anoxia, and a general stabilization of ocean chemistry and increasing marine biodiversity throughout the last -135 Ma. The LIP cycle pattern is coherent with marine biodiversity fluctuations corresponding to a reduction of marine biodiversity of -120 genera/Ma at 600 x 103 km3 LIP eruption volume. The 62-65 Ma LIP cycle pattern as well as excursion in -34Ssulfate and marine genera reduction suggest a not-vet identified found LIP event at - 440-450 Ma.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Seagrass meadows provide multiple benefits to adjacent coral reefs through various microhabitat functions

Tropical seagrass meadows and coral reefs often function as interconnected marine habitats,but they are often studied and managed as homogenous units.As macrohabitats,seagrass meadows provide important benefits to adjacent reef ecosystems by acting as natural filters of sediments and nutrients,and by providing critical feeding,nursery,and refuge habitats for reef fishes and other fauna.Whilst the macrohabitat functions of seagrass meadows have been often acknowledged,their microhabitats functions have largely been neglected.The purpose of the study is to explore how seagrass meadows provide multiple benefits to adjacent coral reefs through various microhabitat functions.The paper reveals some of the diversity of microhabitats that seagrass meadows contain,such as macroalgal mats,rubble cavities,sand patches with sparse seagrass,anemone gardens,hard substratum,and sponges mixed with seagrass.We highlight the ways in which reef creatures have diversified and specialized in using these different microhabitats,and postulate that seagrass microhabitat diversity enhances the habitat function and faunal diversity of seagrass meadows.